Words on the street, investing in good shoes is as important as caring for the shoes as well!
The shoes take us to every important, impromptu, and scary event we desire to attend, cleaning the shoes should be as important as caring for the body.
However, how frequent you clean your shoes should be a personal preference, but if you want them to look brand-new at all times, it is a great idea to clean your shoes at least once a month.
You should also care for them properly and clean or dry your shoes at any time they are subjected to poor weather, like rain, mud, or snow and salt.
Quickly, we will highlight how to clean different kinds of shoes with care, and read along.
Types Of Shoes
Textile shoes
Fabrics are quite commonly used for making shoes. Textiles are available in a wide array of colors and varieties.
Textile shoes can be our strappy sandals, sneakers, pumps or flats. Regardless the style, the fabric used will eventually get dirty.
Undoubtedly, you may see some cleaning hacks online about putting fabric shoes in the washer, but this can be a bad idea!
The washer’s cycles can be aggressive and the force of the agitator or tumbler mixed with the friction of the moving water can warp or tear at the shoe.
Steps to take
- First brush/ take off excess specks of dirt and wipe down the shoe fabric with a dry paper towel to remove any loose surface soil, dirt, or debris.
- Secondly, make a cleaning solution in a small bowl, and mix one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid or detergent into two cups of warm water. Stir well until it’s properly infused.
- Thirdly, scrub shoes clean by working on a chunk section one at a time, dip the toothbrush in the soapy solution, and lightly scrub the fabric. Try ensuring you do not wet the fabric of the shoe too much.
- Then, remove soapy residue by cleaning the entire shoe with a paper towel damped in clear water.
- Lastly, dry the shoes with a dry paper towel and allow the shoes to air dry away from direct heat and sunlight. To help some shoes hold their shape, stuff dry paper towels into the toes or heels until the shoe is completely dry.
How to Clean a Suede Shoe
One key way to keep suede or any napped surface shoe looking at its best is constant care!
The surfaces should always be kept as dry as possible and cleaned with a gentle-bristled brush after
every wearing, to remove trapped dust and soil. If you observe any stains, take them off as quickly as
possible.
Steps to take
- To remove marks and scratches- use a pencil eraser, carefully rub any marks or scuffs until they disappear, then brush with a shoe brush to restore the nap of the shoe.
- Also, to take off oil stains, sprinkle the affected area with baby powder or cornstarch to absorb the oil.
- Let the powder sit in the stain for at least an hour, then brush away. Repeat until all of the oil is absorbed and then brush to lift the nap of the shoe.
- Shoes like sheepskin boots often have shearling linings that get even much dirtier than the outside. To keep fungus and odor off the radar, constantly wipe down the inside of the boots with a cloth dipped in a solution of wool shampoo and water, followed by a 50:50 vinegar-water rinse.
- Allow the boots to air dry for at least 24 hours before wearing.
How to Clean Leather shoes
Leather shoes can come in different kinds such as patent leather, or faux leather shoes
You might have to deal with wear and age—dirt and scuffs or fading. Also, you’ll want to take care of both with your “cleaning” to ensure your shoes stay looking their best.
Steps to take
- Start by brushing off any soil particle with a cloth damped in a solution of equal parts warm water and distilled white vinegar. This works effectively to remove any salt stains. Then keep the shoes to air dry completely.
- For scratches on real leather shoes, use a commercial polish and follow the package directions. If you don’t have a polish that the shoes, you can wet a soft cloth with water and dip it in a bit of baking soda. Gently rub the scratched area and wipe away the residue with a clean cloth.
- Allow to dry and then buff with a clean cloth. For scratches on patent leather and faux leather shoes, carefully rub the affected area with a dab of petroleum jelly and buff with a soft cloth. Restore the shine with a spritz of ammonia-and alcohol-free glass cleaner and buff with a soft cloth.
How to Clean Sporty Shoes
Many of the athletic and tennis shoes found on the market today can simply be tossed in the washing machine on the gentle or delicate cycle and cleaned with a good, heavy-duty laundry detergent like Persil or Tide.
All you need to do is remove any inner soles and the laces and wash the laces separately.
To control odor and fungus, wipe down the inner soles with a 50:50 vinegar-infused water solution, allow them to dry before placing them back in shoes, or replace them with new liners.
How to Clean Rope Wedges
Rope Wedges are made of natural fibers and cork. Rope shoes require a little extra care when they are being cared for.
After you have cleaned the upper fabric or leather part of a wedge shoe, then you carefully tackle the rope or cork-covered sole to avoid damage
Steps to take
- Mix and apply a cleaning solution mix a solution of four cups of warm water, one-fourth cup of distilled white vinegar, and one teaspoon of dishwashing liquid or detergent.
- Wash a small area at a time and use an old toothbrush or cloth to clean the surfaces. For rope soles, work in only one direction to keep the rope from wearing out.
- Clean off the solution and let the shoe dry. When everything is clean, wipe down with a cloth damped in plain water to rinse away soapy residue and allow the shoes to air dry.
Reference:
The Spruce.
